Crime

Tenby pub assault leaves teenager scarred as mother avoids jail

Published

2 months ago

January 28, 2026

Glass struck victim’s face after drink was thrown during altercation, court hears

A MOTHER-of-two has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after injuring another woman’s face during an altercation at a Tenby pub.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that Courtney Howells, aged 28, was involved in the incident on Friday, September 27, 2024. Throughout her appearance in court this week, she maintained that she never intended to cause injury.

Her solicitor, Michael Kelleher, told District Judge Mark Layton that Howells had thrown a drink during the incident.

“She threw a drink, but unfortunately it caused an injury to the victim,” he said.

However, the Crown told the court that as Howells threw the drink towards the victim, the glass left her hand and struck the woman in the face, causing scarring.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the victim, who was 17 at the time of the offence, said the incident had had a lasting effect on her confidence.

“I’m paranoid whenever I go out with my friends,” she said. “I’m constantly walking on eggshells and haven’t been back to the place where it happened.

“I’ve got scars on my face that are a constant reminder, and I have this insecurity over something that could have been prevented.”

Mr Kelleher submitted a probation report and several character references on behalf of his client, again stressing that the incident was not intentional.

“It was reckless rather than intentional,” he said. “The defendant’s intention was to throw a drink, not the glass, and not to cause any injury.”

Howells, of Caerae, Martletwy, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

District Judge Layton sentenced her to 42 weeks in custody, suspended for two years.

She was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, undertake 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and wear an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag for 60 days.

Howells was also ordered to pay £1,500 compensation to the victim, a £187 court surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

A restraining order was imposed preventing her from having any direct or indirect contact with the victim for the next five years.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

2 minutes ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

16 minutes ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.